“You weren’t listening, were you?” She released a little huff, stood up, and paced in front of him. “Isaid, you never answered my question about coming out to the quarry for a while. What if I need you there?”
“Why on earth would you needmethere?” He tried to cover the question with sarcasm, but his heart still longed for her to say that she couldn’t live without hi—
No. Stop it. This was exactly why he’d made the pledge.
Glancing around the room, she stepped closer. So close, her hat almost touched his forehead. “All those years I wrote the papers under a man’s name ... you promised you would stand in if I needed you.”
This again?Notwhat he wanted to hear. “Ugh, Eliza. That was years ago. You’ve never once needed me to stand in, and you won’t ever need me to. You’re on your own two feet, you have a degree, and you are publishing all those scientificpapers under your own name now.” He waved off the comment. “You’ve done digs with your own name. Besides, no one has ever come looking for the author of those papers. That charade is long past.”
“But you promised.”
If she started to pout, he’d throttle her. “Eliza, no. I will not be your stand-in. You don’t need me to be. Aren’t they pretty obscure anyway?”
Her cheeks tinged pink, and her eyes narrowed to slits. “Obscure?”
Now he’d done it. “That’s not what I meant.” He held up his hands. “I’m tired. I already told you that. What I meant ... well, didn’t you say that most of the scientific papers got buried after a while? I mean ... since no one is talking about them right now, don’t you think you’re safe from having to answer for them?”
“You might have a point, Mr. Schmitt”—whenever she used his surname, he was in trouble—“but I think you’re simply making excuses.” Once again, she perched beside him. Close. “You don’t want to go, do you?” She leaned to the side and eyed him straight on. “Or is it that you’ve had enough of me?”
He slumped his shoulders and shook his head. Was she really that clueless? “I’ve not had enough of you. But paleontology has always beenyourthing. If you’ll remember, I teach English. I’m excited for you for the opportunity and to see you excel and spread your wings. Very few women have the chance to make a mark like you do.”
With squinted eyes, she studied him. Apparently satisfied with his answer, she broke the connection and stared forward. “It still wouldn’t hurt you to come visit.”
There was no winning this argument. He crossed his arms over his chest again and nodded at his outstretched legs. “You are correct.”
“So will you?” The words were softer this time. Not the Eliza who pushed to get her way. This was the voice of his friend. The one who sought his affirmation.
Her vulnerability in that moment was almost his undoing. “I’ll think about it.”
two
“I am having a grand time and am happy. Seem to be just in my element.”
~Earl Douglass
THURSDAY, JUNE1, 1916•UNIVERSITYOFPITTSBURGH
Devin breathed in the scents of roses, citrus, and fresh-cut grass. Parties weren’t his favorite thing. But the University politelyrequestedthat all staff and faculty be present for the University’s end-of-term gala. Why the University bothered with the subterfuge baffled him. Everyone knew this evening was to raise funds from all the wealthy benefactors.
Gearing himself up to schmooze with donors and have endless conversations about the English department all evening, he pasted on a smile and went straight for the refreshments.
“Isn’t it bad enough that we have to get all dressed up in the robes and then sit through the long and tedious graduation ceremony year after year?” Professor Allen chuckled as he walked up to Devin at the refreshment table. “But now we have to attend a party as well?”
This wasn’t the first time they’d discussed their displeasureabout the yearly event. Devin smiled at his colleague. “Not just attend, remember. We must hobnob.”
An older woman stepped up to the punch bowl. Her light blue eyes and jewelry caught the light and sparkled. “Would you care for some refreshment, gentlemen?” She lifted the large ladle and began to serve up several small crystal cups.
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” Devin nodded his thanks.
Professor Allen did the same.
“I think I’ll go hunt for a corner to hide in until it’s all over.”
“Would you mind if I joined you?” His colleague raised one brow. “At least if we appear deep in conversation, there’s a decent chance we won’t have to join the crowds.”
“Sounds like a great plan to me.” Devin spied his desired destination. Clusters of university professors and donors were springing up as the room filled. His grip tight on his punch cup, he took purposeful strides toward the small alcove at the back of the room, hoping and praying that he wouldn’t get distracted along the way.
Thankfully, he made it without disruption, and Professor Allen joined him.
